USING COMMAS, PARENTHESES, AND DASHES

Front

What are commas used for?

Back

Commas are used to signal a pause, separate words or groups of words in a series, and set off introductory or nonessential elements in a sentence.

Front

What is the correct way to use parentheses?

Back

Parentheses are used to include additional information or clarification within a sentence without interrupting the main flow.

Front

What is a dash?

Back

A dash is a punctuation mark used to indicate a break in thought or to set off information for emphasis.

Front

When should you use a comma before 'and' in a list?

Back

You should use a comma before 'and' in a list of three or more items (Oxford comma) to clarify the separation of items.

Front

What is an example of a sentence using commas correctly?

Back

"My dog, a golden retriever, loves to play fetch."

Front

What is an example of a sentence using parentheses correctly?

Back

"The book (which I borrowed from the library) was fascinating."

Front

What is an example of a sentence using dashes correctly?

Back

"I have a big test tomorrow—I'm really nervous!"

Front

What is the purpose of using commas in direct address?

Back

Commas are used to separate the name of the person being addressed from the rest of the sentence.

Front

What is a common mistake when using commas?

Back

A common mistake is to use a comma to separate two independent clauses without a conjunction.

Front

What is the difference between a dash and a hyphen?

Back

A dash (—) is longer and indicates a break in thought, while a hyphen (-) is shorter and connects words.